Tuesday, September 19, 2006

#64 "Good Morning or Good Moaning?"

September 19, 2006"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118: 24)

What was the first thing that you thought about when your eyes opened this morning? If you're like me, it was still dark. You might think that what goes through your mind first thing is pretty inconsequential, but it's not. I believe that those are the most important thoughts that you will have all day and they will set the tone for the next twenty four hours of your life. You may have thought about how tired you were and how much you wanted to stay in bed. You may have remembered that the problem you fell asleep last night worrying about is there, facing you, for yet another day.

We are told in Psalm 118:24 that the Lord made this day. Back in Genesis, whenever God made something, He saw that it was good. So it only follows that if God made this day, which He did, it is a good day. Did you open your eyes this morning? Take a breath? Move your body? That is good! You are alive! The world is still spinning around on its axis and hasn't spun out of control while you slept. And when you opened your eyes, you pulled the ribbon off of the greatest gift that you could ever receive -- the gift of life. Maybe you woke up and found that your waterbed leaked and then realized that you don't have a waterbed. Maybe that bird singing outside of your window is a buzzard. But you're alive. Rejoice!

What does it mean to rejoice? The Hebrew word used in Psalm 118: 24 is guwl. The picture of "guwl" is to spin around under the influence of violent emotion. It means to be glad and joyful. The King James Dictionary defines "rejoice" as experiencing joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations. The Message translation of this verse is "let's celebrate and be festive." How festive were your thoughts this morning? Did you have a feeling of joy and gladness at the prospect of a new day? Was it a good morning? Or did you do a good moaning?

Our thoughts are a choice. We do not have to accept every wrong thought that the devil drops in our heads. There may be physical darkness around you when you wake up but get the darkness out of your mind immediately. You may be waking up to problems at home. You may be experiencing mental torture. Your bank account may be empty and there's a stack of bills that need to be paid. Your salary may not be enough on that job you need to get dressed for. No promotion is in sight. Your spouse may be cheating. You may be tired of looking at the empty space in the bed next to you. You may have had to bail someone out of jail last night. Stop those thoughts of doom. Tell them to relax, cool down, be still and know that today is a day to rejoice. It's a day to laugh, smile and sing praises to God, not a day to be wasted on worry, confusion, anxiety and depression. Remember that today is a gift from God. What you do with it is your gift to Him.

Try waking up each morning saying (out loud if you have to), "This is the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it." Remember it's your choice. Say, "I will bless the Lord at ALL times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34: 1) God has given you this day. He is still in control. If He woke you up today, He's not through with you yet. He still has an awesome plan for your life. He's got work for you to do and He has great things planned to give you. Who knows? Today could be THE day that you see the breakthrough that you've been praying for. Today could be the very day that you see your problem solved. Don't miss out on it. Don't let the devil discourage you and turn your thoughts toward worry. Remember that worry is worshipping the words of the devil. Make Satan and his minions tremble when your feet hit the floor each day.

This is truly a day that the Lord has made. It is His creation, given to you. Right at it's beginning, when your eyes first open, resist the devil, speak the Lord's words of life to your day and truly rejoice in it. You won't get another one. This is the only Tuesday, September 19, 2006 you will ever get. The late Ben Hogan, one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game, said, "As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round." Rejoice in this day, my friend, rejoice!

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About Me

Donna Schultz served God for many years in the area of outreach to the poor and homeless on the east side of Detroit, Michigan.
God has placed a call on Donna’s life to teach the Word of God in a practical way that can be easily put into practice in our daily lives.
Donna has an inspiring testimony of how the power of God can transform a person’s life. Having been raised in a dysfunctional home, and being a victim of verbal and emotional abuse, she has suffered the damaging effects of rejection, low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior and sin. Donna is able to relate to the problems that others face. Using the Word of God as the only guide, she teaches how the power of God, inherent in His Word, can make us all overcomers.
Donna is the author of a devotional blog called “Tuesdays with Jesus” which is being used in Bible studies and for personal use all over the US. Donna and her husband, Chuck, were married for twenty three years. Her husband passed away from cancer in January, 2015. They have six children and are the proud grandparents of Ashton, Brooklyn, Mason, Logan, Evie Grace, Isla, Charlotte, and Noah, who lives in Heaven with Jesus.